Zoroastrianism is
the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to
the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra, Zartosht). Mazdaism
is the religion that acknowledges the divine authority of Ahura
Mazda, proclaimed by Zoroaster.
Terminology
The term Zoroastrianism was first
attested by the Oxford English Dictionary in 1874 in
Archibald Sayce's Principles of Comparative Philology.
The first surviving reference to Zoroaster in Western
scholarship is attributed to Thomas Browne (1605–1682), who
briefly refers to the prophet in his 1643
Religio Medici.
Basic beliefs
- There is one universal and transcendental
God, Ahura Mazda, the one Uncreated Creator to whom all
worship is ultimately directed.
- Ahura Mazda's creation — evident as
asha, truth and order — is the antithesis of chaos,
evident as druj, falsehood and disorder. The
resulting conflict involves the entire universe, including
humanity, which has an active role to play in the conflict.
- Active participation in life through good
thoughts, good words and good deeds is necessary to ensure
happiness and to keep the chaos at bay. This active
participation is a central element in Zoroaster's concept of
free will, and Zoroastrianism rejects all forms of
monasticism.
Fire plays an inportant role in Zoroastrianism
